City launches Ottawa 2017 Arts, Culture and Heritage Program

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, along with the Ottawa 2017 Bureau and lead sponsor CIBC announced Thursday a new funding program worth $250,000 for arts, culture, and heritage projects centred around Canada’s 150th birthday.

The Ottawa 2017 Arts, Culture and Heritage Investment Program was launched Feb. 11 at the Orange Art Gallery

“It was essential for us to make sure … that you, the ones that create the heart and soul of our city to be involved, to be engaged, to showcase the best of the talent and creativity that we have in our city,” Ottawa 2017 Bureau executive director Guy Laflamme told those gathered at the Orange Art Gallery for the announcement.

The Ottawa 2017 Arts, Culture and Heritage Investment Program will be run, in partnership with the Ottawa 2017 Bureau, by the AOE Arts Council, the Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa and the Ottawa Arts Council.

The OAC’s executive director, Peter Honeywell, said he was confident the program would garner some excellent results.

“Our creative sector is by nature entrepreneurial and we take very modest investments and turn them into something extraordinary,” he said.

The application deadline for funding is March 24 at 4 p.m. Projects should be new or enhanced for 2017, must occur within the city’s boundaries and must be completed within 2017. They should be open and accessible to the general public.

An independent jury will include representatives from the arts, cultural and heritage communities and one member of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau. Successful applicants could receive anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000.

Thursday’s announcement is the second of a series of three funding announcements regarding community investment in Ottawa 2017 celebrations. A $150,000 Ottawa Civic Events Funding Program was announced in November and another announcement pertaining to festival funding will come in the months ahead.